Seller has homesteaded the property to taking large capital gains hit.

More likely they're just the servicer and someone else actually owns this note.A deed in lieu of foreclosure would gain you possession of the property and give you a better position to negotiate with Chase. 

I know gaining trust is a key factor in making them feel comfortable with their investment, but again it is more difficult for someone to feel comfortable with you when you have only met via video chat. 

Its valuable experience in renovations, landlording, and provides some great benefits (like offsetting your mortgage).There is nothing like empirical knowledge, so get out there and try. 

Reminding the board of their own bylaws would help you gain an audience to resolve the dispute.

Anything you buy as an investment - if we define investment as increasing your overall financial stores, i.e. getting more money out than you put in - has to gain more value than its present day value, meaning that we have to believe that what we are buying is being sold at some kind of discount relative to its potential.

I've finally decided to create an account on BP after soaking up loads of valuable information - fantastic resource and podcast.

But I'm also passionate, detail oriented and diligent about everything I do, so I'm gaining more confidence (with the help of BP) that I can outsource these things on my own. 

Fortunately through experience and research, I've gained a decent knowledge of general construction prices. 

I’m starting with gaining my real estate license in the next couple weeks.